There’s no business like show business and this year’s Battle of the Borders event at Albury was no exception.
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More than 300 horses and riders from across the region, NSW, Victoria and South Australia saddled up for the two-day showing extravaganza at the Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre on February 17 and 18.
The Show Horse Council of Victoria’s North East & Border Region Subcommittee hosted the fourth “battle”, which is a qualifier for the prestigious Grand National Saddle Horse Championships in Sydney in 2019.
It’s fair to say the expansive Thurgoona-based equestrian facility was filled to capacity, such is the growth of the event during the past few years.
North East & Border committee chairperson Jodie McClellan said the event was a huge economic boost for the region.
"We have nearly outgrown the Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre it seems; we had to hire more stables and generators to be able to host all our entrants,” she said.
“It is a good sign for our region with the number of competitors we had staying.
“Also with judges flying in from Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Launceston, it’s a great way to showcase the region.
“We are lucky to have airports, accommodation and a great venue all within a five-minute drive too.”
This year’s event saw the inclusion of new young horse classes in addition to the open classes, which Ms McClellan said were well-supported.
Another strong event was the Laura Berben Memorial Class, which pays tribute to the popular rider who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2016.
“There has been generous sponsorship for the show and the Laura Berben class with profits from this class going to the Jane McGrath Foundation,” she said.
“Entries in the class were outstanding and the winner provided an international flavour to the show with the horse, Rosehill Park Topaz, co-owned by Jo-Ann Kloosterman from New Zealand and rider Ali Berwick.”
The quality of horseflesh at the Battle of the Borders continues to improve with royal champions and Horse of the Year winners seen strutting their stuff during the weekend.
Many of them were piloted by well-known top riders, including winners of the prestigious Garryowen competition at Melbourne Royal.
“To attract entrants of that calibre willing to travel to our event is testimony to the great competition grounds we can offer,” Ms McLellan said.
“Our local competitors were not to be outdone with quite a few gaining tickets to the Grand Nationals.”
The region’s riders who gained coveted qualifiers included: Sarah Love with Manorvale Look Again; both Lucy May and Grace Goodyer with Beckworth Commanding Flame; George Howe with Nawarrah Park Red Fox; Jan Langley with Langtree in the Dark; Hannah Dunmore and Alpine Park Blue Dimples; Brylee Thomson and Bremala Miss Victoria; and Rebecca Kean with Gold Trace.